City centre residents fear a kebab van outside Bath’s Guildhall will attract “hordes” of noisy customers who will disturb them into the early hours.
The proposed kebab van and pitch outside the Guildhall | Photos © B&NES Council & Google 2019
Mehmet Yilmaz’s licensing bid to operate his Muzzy Kebab van on an established pitch in Orange Grove will come before councillors next week.
He plans to open at 6pm and serve until 3am Monday to Thursday and until 1am on Sunday nights. No opening hours are proposed on Friday or Saturday.
Three Empire building residents have objected.
One was concerned about “odours, noise, mess, vomiting and other antisocial behaviour” the business would attract.
She said: “We already have drinkers buying fast food from nearby takeaways and eating it on the steps of our buildings, leaving their empty food containers and destroying our flower pots.
“The proposed nearby kebab van, operating into the early hours, will only attract more public nuisance outside a residential building, with a possible effect on public safety too for the elderly residents here.
“Also, Bath is a heritage city and we are in danger of losing this status if these mobile fast food outlets are allowed to proliferate.”
The other representation was from a couple who objected “in the strongest possible terms”.
They said the kebab van would “spoil the outlook of such a beautiful area of Bath” and could attract “hordes of people eating kebabs eating kebabs into the early hours, shouting and generally making a great deal of noise whilst a large number of us are trying to sleep”.
The couple added: “The location is totally unsuitable and I would implore you to turn down this application.”
A report to the licensing committee said the site has been an established street trading pitch since 2002 and food has been served until as late as 3am.
Mr Yilmaz’s application says all food packaging will be paper or card, a bin will be provided and customers will be asked to refrain from making excessive noise.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet in the Guildhall on 4th July.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
